I have a Scattergun-technologies built Remington 870 (their "standard" model), and am extremely pleased with its patterning ability. With Federal tactical 00 buck it maintains all pellets within a 6 inch radius at 25 yards. It performs similarly with all other loads I have used. I participated in a tactical shotgun training course last weekend using this gun, and it patterened by far the best of any gun that was there (no one had a Vang, however). I opted for the modified choke when I ordered it, but beyond that I think it really is the luck of the draw with the barrel you get from Remington.